Holiday Calendar 2005

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A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES

Many people's favorite Christmas story springs to life at Wallingford's Stone Soup Theatre, enacted by a mix of professional and youth actors. 4035 Stone Way N., 206-325-6500, www.stonesouptheatre.com. $12 ($8 per person for families of four or more). 7:30 p.m. Fri.–Sat.; 3 p.m. matinees Sat.–Sun. Through Sat., Dec. 17.

MAGICAL STRINGS

This Celtic yuletide series is back for its 27th year with harp music, Irish dancing, and energetic songs and storytelling. Locations in Shoreline, Kent, Seattle, and Bellevue. For more information, visit www.magicalstrings.com. Through Mon., Dec. 19.

The annual "gospel song play" at Intiman includes euphoric voices (belonging to local pastor Patrinell Wright, the Black Nativity Gospel Choir, et al.), a live band, and modern dance. Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 206-269-1900, www.intiman.org. $10–$42. See Web site for times. Through Sat., Dec. 24.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

The annual staging of the Dickens story that started the whole Victorian Christmas hoo-hah in the first place. This year, R. Hamilton Wright and Sean Griffin alternate in the role of Scrooge. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St., 206-292-7676, www.acttheatre.org. $24–$29. Days and times vary. Through Sat., Dec. 24.

NWFF head Michael Seiwerath will provide the eggnog, local actor-playwright Jonah Von Spreecken will provide the world-premiere play (The Snowflake Factory, a Roald Dahl–esque fable in which the concept of cold has become passé), and DJ Mat and Comb Band will provide the tunes. All you need to do is show up. 1515 12th Ave., 206-329-2629, www.nwfilmforum.org. $13 ($10 NWFF members, $7 children). 7 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 15–Sun., Dec. 18; Wed., Dec. 21–Fri., Dec. 23.

Sponsored by Town Hall, this musical melting pot stars the choir of the First Samoan Congregational Church, a Balkan-American doo-wop quartet, and gospel singers from Martin Luther King Jr. Baptist Church in Renton. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. www.townhallseattle.org. Free. 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Not the 1946 Capra classic but a radio version of the film, broadcast live on KPLU-FM, in which Evening Magazine host John Curley plays George Bailey. Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126, www.seattlehistory.org. $15 ($10 MOHAI members; $12.50 nonmembers in advance). 7 p.m. Sat., Dec. 17.

It ain't Dancing With the Stars, but the Fairmont Olympic's annual roundup of local celebs is always good fun. This year's gang includes KING-TV's Jean Enersen, KMTT ("The Mountain") DJs Fisher & West, the Sea Gals (the Seahawks cheerleading squad), and the Mariner Moose. 411 University St., 206-621-1700. $3/cone of chestnuts. 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. weekdays. Through Fri., Dec. 23.

ISSAQUAH REINDEER FESTIVAL

Did you know that Issaquah's Cougar Mountain Zoo has the largest Siberian reindeer herd of any U.S. zoo? Now that you do, take a trip to the Eastside to get chummy with the antlered, shaggy creatures of Christmas Eve lore. 19525 S.E. 54th St. (Issaquah), 425-391-5508, www.cougarmountainzoo.org. $9.50 ($8 seniors, $6.50 children 2 to 12). 10 a.m.–7 p.m. daily. Through Fri., Dec. 23.

Created by local interior decorator Kevin Bradford, the Fairmont Olympic's gathering of stuffed bears large and small will eventually be donated to Children's Hospital, as will any cash you care to give. (Also on display: a gingerbread castle.) 411 University St., 206-621-1700. Free. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. Through Sun., Dec. 25.

1,200 pounds of dough, 500 pounds of candy, and heaven knows how many nuts take over the downtown mall, formed into structural marvels by Sheraton Hotel chefs and reps from local architecture firms. Donations for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will be accepted daily. 1420 Fifth Ave., 206-624-8800. Free. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat.; noon–5 p.m. Sun. Through Tues., Jan. 3.

NUTCRACKER MARCH

Don't do a macchiato spit-take when you see 50 "decorated nutcrackers" occupying Seattle's downtown this holiday season. The giant intruders are part of Pacific Northwest Ballet's annual promotion for Nutcracker; when 2006 arrives, they'll be auctioned off online to benefit Northwest Center, a local nonprofit that supports the disabled. Throughout downtown Seattle, from Seattle Center to Pioneer Square. Visit www.nutcrackermarch.com for more information. Through Thurs., Jan. 5.

HOLIDAY HAYRIDES

Put on your mittens and hat as a horse-drawn wagon carries you over the river and through the woods (actually, through Seward Park and around part of Lake Washington). Wagons depart from the entrance to Seward Park, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S., 206-684-7434. $10 ($5 children 4 to 12). 4:30–9:30 p.m. (rides begin every 45 minutes). Fri., Dec. 16–Sun., Dec. 18; Wed., Dec. 21–Thurs., Dec. 22.